City cafe voted as having the best flat whites in Darwin
We put together an expert panel to find Darwin’s best coffee. Find out who the winner was here
Northern Territory
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AFTER much deliberation, Darwin’s best coffee has been decided.
Three avid coffee drinkers put their tastebuds to the test and have voted in Kopi Stop’s flat white as the best in Darwin.
While it may feel that our capital is just catching up to the coffee scenes in places like Melbourne and Sydney, our tropical city has come a long way.
The average yearly consumption of coffee is 3kg a person and more than 500 comments voting on over 60 cafes on an NT News Facebook post narrowed down our judges’ hard work to finalists Kopi Stop, Laneway, Cafe Central and Twice Daily.
The judges, Lucy Adam, David Taylor and Mark Erasmus, were then sent on their way to sip and ponder the aroma, acidity, body and flavour of the coffees.
They returned with their score for each coffee shop and we did the number crunching.
All three judges liked Kopi Stop, in the CBD, saying the temperature was perfect, the flavour was strong but not overpowering, and the latte art was well done.
Taking second spot was Laneway at Parap.
The cafe was one of the first to hit the scene and create a “coffee culture” in the suburbs.
The judges liked the coffee’s full flavour and quick service.
Third spot was Twice Daily in Palmerston, which also fills the desires of cyclists who can grab a coffee and browse the bike shop at the same time.
The flat white at Twice Daily, Yarrawonga, received mixed reviews for its temperature and taste but overall was labelled as a place the judges would visit again if they were in the area.
Taking out fourth spot was Cafe Central in Rapid Creek, which is also dog friendly.
This cafe was well received by the judges, who rated the great service and taste of the coffee.
Kopi Stop owner Jules Mou said it was welcome news to be rated as having Darwin’s best flat white.
“Good, that’s our whole aim of the coffee shop. My main focus has always been coffee and to be serving up good coffee consistently, it’s a good feeling that people are enjoying it,” she said.
Ms Mou said her love of coffee flourished from an interest in latte art.
“As I got into making coffee I realised the importance of making good tasting coffee regardless of how the coffee looks, the coffee has to taste good,” she said.
The Harriet Place cafe also serves a Singaporean type of coffee called kopi.
THE JUDGES
David Taylor
David Taylor is the weekly food columnist for the Sunday Territorian’s Frontier liftout and has been drinking coffee since the 80s.
The qualified chef lives and breathes food and thinks nothing is better in life than “a cabernet sauvignon, a decent cup of coffee and a well-finished jus and friendship”.
He said the coffee scene had improved in Darwin in recent years.
“It sort of suffered for a while but places like the Roma Bar had a good cuppa,” he said.
Lucy Adam
Lucy Adam is a born-and-bred local and has seen first hand Darwin’s coffee scene flourish.
The Aussie rules player drinks two or three coffees a day.
“I started drinking coffee in uni and I grew a love for really good coffees and the tastes and strengths of different coffees,” she said.
“It has changed dramatically. I think the fact that you’ve got coffee shops in suburban areas goes to show that Darwin is mimicking Melbourne and Sydney.”
Mark Erasmus
Mark Erasmus took up coffee drinking after he moved to Australia from Ireland eight years ago.
He said the quality of coffee was far better than coffee in Ireland. His passion has quickly grown and he now drinks two to three espressos a day.
“I can’t function without it,” he said.
“I like the caffeine hit and that boost it gives you in the morning. You could say I’m a coffee addict.”
He has been working in the food industry for more than 10 years and teaches students how to make everything from coffee, food and alcoholic drinks at a hospitality college.
KOPI STOP 26/30
LUCY ADAMS - Soy flat white
This would be a perfect flat white for anyone looking for something not too strong in flavour but still a great tasting coffee.
8/10
DAVID TAYLOR
Very thin milk foam with intricate pattern, good temperature and overall a
very enjoyable cuppa.
9/10
MARK ERASMUS
Milk texture was perfect, latte art was nicely done and the coffee was piping hot, service was quick, friendly and quality overall was very good.
9/10
LANEWAY 24.5/30
LUCY ADAMS - Soy flat white
I like my coffee full flavoured. Laneway supplies this perfect full-bodied taste. The soy mixed well and complemented the bean.
9.5/10
DAVID TAYLOR
Bold, fully roasted flavour, not burnt. Very low milk foam with pattern. Overall good flavour and good temperature.
8/10
MARK ERASMUS
Texture of milk was good and coffee was nice and hot, however I could only get a weak taste of coffee. I didn't order food but every plate that came out from the kitchen looked amazing and very well presented.
7/10 (lost points on weak taste of coffee)
TWICE DAILY 22/30
LUCY ADAMS - Soy flat white
The flat white here could be summarised as “dependable”. Good flavour, soy not too overwhelming.
7/10
DAVID TAYLOR
Mild, almost insipid flavour certainly not burnt. 8mm milk foam top with basic pattern. Temperature OK but could have been a tad warmer.
7/10
MARK ERASMUS
The texture of the milk was perfect, latte art was OK, coffee was hot and went down well — I would return again
8/10
CAFE CENTRAL 21.5/30
LUCY ADAMS - Soy flat white
As I slowly got used to the flavour of the soy, the flavour of the bean began to emerge. If it wasn’t for the initial kick punch of the soy, I would have rated this flat white a lot higher.
5/10
DAVID TAYLOR
Rich fresh taste, very slight bitterness on the tongue. Very low foam with pattern.
Overall great coffee taste with nice depth of flavour.
8.5/10
MARK ERASMUS
Texture of the milk was good, latte art OK, coffee could’ve been hotter. Overall very decent flat white
8/10
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